Search Results (111)

CuO-NPs demonstrate significant potential across biomedical, environmental protection, and electronic technology domains. This widespread utilization inevitably leads to their discharge into aquatic ecosystems. Research on the biotoxicity of CuO-NPs constitutes a current scientific priority; however, toxicological impacts related to particle size and morphology remain inadequately documented. The zebrafish (Danio rerio Roloff, 1956) is employed as a model animal organism to assess acute and subchronic toxicity of differentially sized/shaped CuO-NPs. Organ-specific damage manifested in the gills, liver, and muscles. It was found that sheet-shaped CuO-NPs (SC) could induce the most severe histomorphological alterations. Among spherical CuO-NPs (SP), smaller particles exhibited higher toxicity (SC > 40 nm SP-S > 150–250 nm SP-L). Tissue antioxidant capacity followed the same decreasing trend. The three CuO-NPs in the present study reduced microbial alpha-diversity. Altered relative abundance of dominant taxa is observed at the phylum and genus levels. These results expand toxicological datasets for nanomaterial–vertebrate interactions and support environmental risk assessment for nano-pollutants in natural conditions. Full article

Columnaris disease is a highly contagious infection that affects nearly all freshwater fish species worldwide. Grass carp, one of the most economically significant freshwater fish species in China, is particularly susceptible to the disease, leading to large-scale mortality. Flavobacterium columnare and F. covae are the primary pathogens causing columnaris disease in Chinese grass carp aquaculture. Herein, we compare mortality rates, replication rates of typical columnaris symptoms, histopathological changes, and bacterial content in the tissues of grass carp following infection using four challenge models. The mortality rate in grass carp challenged via intraperitoneal injection was 86.7%. All fish infected via intramuscular and intradermal injections died, while immersion resulted in lower mortality. Gill corrosion rates were 67%, 53%, and 87%, respectively, in the intramuscular injection, intradermal injection, and immersion groups. Correspondingly, skin ulceration rates were 75%, 91%, and 63%. However, surface symptoms in the intraperitoneal injection group were milder. Histopathological analysis revealed similar lesions in grass carp subjected to immersion, intramuscular, and intradermal infection, which differed from carp infected via intraperitoneal injection. The trends in bacterial loads in the gills and skin were similar, although the absolute bacterial content varied between tissues. Bacterial loads in the immersion and intraperitoneal injection groups were lower than those in the other groups. Based on these findings, we determined that the optimal model for simulating columnaris disease in grass carp is the intradermal injection of F. covae in 10–12 cm fish. The infection model generated via intradermal injection resembles natural F. covae infection and can serve as a good tool for evaluating the protective effect of anti-F. covae infection vaccines in grass carp. Full article

Because of the active influx of chemical compounds into the marine environment, a significant portion is transformed and accumulates in bottom sediments (BS), posing a threat to benthic organisms. The eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, with its characteristic volcanic, seismic, and gas–chemical features, is of particular interest to our research. This study is the first to assess the cyto- and genotoxicity of BS in coastal waters off the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula using biotesting on representatives of the benthic community (the mussel Mytilus trossulus and the sand dollar Scaphehinus mirabilis). Of the aqueous extracts exposure of BS from all stations, M. trossulus showed destabilization of lysosomal membranes in gills and digestive gland cells. It was shown that aqueous extracts from BS of Kamchatka Bay (station 1) and Avachinskaya Bay (station 3) had no negative effect on DNA molecules in the gills and digestive gland cells of mussels, and the values obtained corresponded to the control. Extracts from BS of Kronotsky Bay (station 2) and Avacha Bay (station 4) damaged the integrity of the genome in the cells of the gills M. trossulus and sperm of S. mirabilis. The level of DNA damage in sperm increased by 3 and 3.5 times, respectively, compared with that in control gametes. The results of the biotests on two biological models show that sediments from Kronotsky Bay and Avacha Bay exhibit cytotoxicity and induce DNA damage in both somatic cells and gametes. Full article

In the marine environment, plastic fragments are constantly engaged in a complex degradation process under exposure to various physical and chemical factors, one of which is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These processes result in the formation of smaller micro- and nano-sized plastic particles, which are highly bioavailable to marine organisms. To clarify the toxicological effects of the exposure of degraded plastic on the marine organisms, the model used in this study was the Pacific mussel Mytilus trossulus and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is commonly found in marine debris. Using molecular and biochemical markers (DNA damage, lysosomal membrane stability, integral antiradical activity (IAA) of biological samples, and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a product of lipid peroxidation), the toxicity of pristine PMMA and photoaged (PMMA-UV) particles was assessed. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the characteristics of the macromolecular changes in the chemical structure of PMMA-UV were obtained, with an oxidation index of 6.83 ± 0.46, compared to the pristine PMMA of 5.15 ± 0.54. Using a laser analyzer, the sizes of PMMA particles were determined, and it was found that after UV irradiation, the ratio of size groups changed—the proportion of particles with sizes of 500–1000 μm decreased, and the number of particles with sizes of 50–125 μm increased twofold. Analysis of mussel cell viability showed that after exposure to both types of PMMA microparticles, there was a decrease in the ability to retain neutral red dye in lysosomes: PMMA and PMMA-UV had a similar effect on hemocytes, reducing dye retention in cells to 55.2 ± 3.24% and 61.1 ± 1.99%, respectively. In gill and digestive gland cells, PMMA-UV particles reduced the stability of lysosomal membranes to a greater extent than PMMA. After PMMA and PMMA-UV particle exposure, the levels of DNA damage were as follows: in hemocytes, 10.1 ± 1.4% and 12.7 ± 0.8%, respectively; in gills, 7.8 ± 1.1% and 14.4 ± 2.9%, respectively; and in the digestive gland, 19.0 ± 1.3% and 21.9 ± 2.8%, respectively, according to the control values 3.6 ± 1.3%, 4.6 ± 1.1%, 5.1 ± 1.5%, respectively. According to the results of biochemical markers, the reaction of mussels to the presence of PMMA and PMMA-UV particles in the environment was tissue-specific: in the cells of the digestive gland, the level of IAA increased by 2 and 1.3 times compared to the control group of mussels (76.22 ± 6.77 nmol trolox/g wet weight and 52.43 ± 2.36 nmol trolox/g wet, respectively), while in the gill cells, the non-significant increase in antiradical activity was noted. An increase in MDA content was also observed in gill cells (255.8 ± 9.12 nmol MDA/g wet weight and 263.46 ± 9.45 nmol MDA/g wet weight, respectively) compared with the control group. This study showed that UV irradiation of PMMA microparticles increases their bioavailability and toxicity to M. trossulus. Full article

This article examines the potential role of the Antonine Plague (165–180 CE) and climate change in the mid-2nd-century collapse of the Afro-Eurasian world-system. Following the model proposed by Gills and Frank, the world-system cycles between phases of integration (A) and disintegration (B). Integrative phases are marked by increasingly complex exchanges of goods, services, information, and populations, which enhance connectivity and intensify the circulation of matter and energy. Yet, this very complexity, while driving growth and expansion, also generates systemic vulnerabilities. The plague and climate change are examined here as critical shocks that triggered the shift from an A phase to a B phase, destabilizing interconnected regions such as the Roman Empire in the West and the Han Dynasty in China. The demographic losses and logistical strains of the pandemic eroded the integrative structures underpinning Afro-Eurasian connectivity, creating conditions for prolonged disintegration. These developments are further situated within the broader history of the Silk Roads, whose role in fostering transcontinental connections had reached a peak in the centuries preceding the crisis. The analysis underscores how pandemics like the Antonine Plague, together with episodes of abrupt climate change, can act as decisive agents in the disintegration phases of world-systems, reshaping the trajectories of complex societies and accelerating the collapse of established networks. Full article

This protocol paper outlines a robust and reproducible framework for a ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics analysis of rodent plasma, designed to facilitate preclinical biomarker discovery. The protocol details optimised steps for plasma collection in a preclinical rodent model, sample preparation, and NMR data acquisition using presaturation Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (PRESAT-CPMG) pulse sequences, ensuring high-quality spectral data and effective suppression of macromolecule signals. Comprehensive spectral processing and metabolite assignment are described, with guidance on multivariate and univariate statistical analyses to identify metabolic changes and potential biomarkers. The framework emphasises methodological rigour and reproducibility, enabling accurate quantification and interpretation of metabolites relevant to disease mechanisms or therapeutic interventions. By providing a standardised approach, this protocol supports longitudinal and translational studies, bridging findings from rodent models to clinical applications and advancing the reliability of metabolomics-based biomarker discovery in preclinical research. Full article

Tebuconazole (TBZ), a triazole-class fungicide widely used in agriculture, is frequently detected in aquatic environments due to runoff and leaching, where it poses a threat to non-target aquatic organisms. This study investigates the acute toxicity of TBZ on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a commercially important cold-water fish species. The 96 h LC₅₀ value was determined to be 9.05 mg/L using probit analysis. In addition to mortality, the physiological responses of fish exposed to both LC₅₀ and maximum tolerance concentration (MTC; 6 mg/L) were evaluated through haematological and histological assessments. TBZ exposure significantly suppressed key haematological parameters, particularly WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, and LYM, indicating immunosuppression and potential hypoxia. Histological examination revealed progressive and regressive damage in gill tissues, including epithelial lifting, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy, which were more severe in the LC₅₀ group. These alterations were quantified using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Additionally, significant changes in biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, creatinine, total protein, and glucose levels were observed, further indicating hepatic and renal dysfunctions induced by TBZ exposure. The findings demonstrate that TBZ exposure induces substantial physiological and structural impairments in rainbow trout, highlighting the importance of assessing the ecological risks of fungicide contamination in aquatic environments. The study also provides a dose–response model that can be used to estimate mortality risk in aquaculture operations exposed to TBZ. Full article

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), a widely used aquaculture disinfectant, remains poorly understood in terms of sublethal toxicity and damage reversibility. This study employed Macrobrachium rosenbergii as the model organism to evaluate the acute toxicity and sublethal effects of PVP-I through a 4-day exposure experiment followed by a 7-day depuration period. Acute toxicity tests enabled the determination of 24–96 h median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀), with the 96 h LC₅₀ being 5.67 mg/L and the safe concentration (SC) being 1.37 mg/L. Based on this, three sublethal concentrations (1.14, 1.89, and 2.84 mg/L) were tested over a 4-day exposure followed by a 7-day depuration period. Investigated endpoints included gill ultrastructure, apoptosis, and antioxidant and immune-related gene expression. Subacute exposure at 1.89 and 2.84 mg/L induced mitochondrial vacuolization, upregulated apoptosis-related genes (Cyt-c, Caspase-3, Bok), and downregulated antioxidant gene expression (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). The high-concentration group also showed sustained Toll-like receptor (Toll) gene overexpression and acid phosphatase (ACP) gene suppression. After depuration, antioxidant gene expression normalized; however, apoptotic markers in gill tissue remained impaired. Overall, high PVP-I concentrations cause irreversible gill damage via mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, whereas lower concentrations (≤1.14 mg/L) allow for greater recovery. These results offer crucial toxicodynamic insights for safer PVP-I use and risk assessment in M. rosenbergii aquaculture. Full article

Background: Fish escape events from aquaculture facilities are increasing and pose significant ecological, economic, and traceability concerns. Accurate methods to differentiate between wild, cultured, and escaped fish are essential for fishery management and seafood authentication. Methods: This study analyzed muscle tissue from Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, and Argyrosomus regius using a multiomics approach. Heavy metals were quantified by ICP-MS, fatty acid profiles were assessed via GC-MS, and metabolomic and lipidomic signatures were identified using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Multivariate statistical models (MDS and PLS-LDA) were applied to classify fish origins. Results: Wild seabream showed significantly higher levels of arsenic (9.5-fold), selenium (3.5-fold), and DHA and ARA fatty acids (3.2-fold), while cultured fish exhibited increased linoleic and linolenic acids (6.5-fold). TMAO concentrations were up to 5.3-fold higher in wild fish, serving as a robust metabolic biomarker. Escaped fish displayed intermediate biochemical profiles. Multivariate models achieved a 100% classification accuracy across species and analytical techniques. Conclusions: The integration of heavy metal analysis, fatty acid profiling, and NMR-based metabolomics enables the accurate differentiation of fish origin. While muscle tissue provides reliable biomarkers relevant to human exposure, future studies should explore additional tissues such as liver and gills to improve the resolution of traceability. These methods support seafood authentication, enhance aquaculture traceability, and aid in managing the ecological impacts of escape events. Full article

During the 1970s’ military dictatorships in Chile and Brazil, the Catholic Church took the position of moral opposition to the authoritarian regimes, while in Argentina, the Church sided with the dictatorship. In his pathbreaking book utilizing the religious economy model, Anthony Gill theorized that the Church in Chile adopted a critical stance against the regime due to competition from Protestant Churches. Subsequently, Gill’s specific arguments and the religious economy model in general have been widely applied but also critiqued by sociologists of religion. Through a deeper analysis of the three case studies of Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, we support and extend theoretical critiques of the religious economy model. We argue that that the religious economy model as applied by Gill is an insufficient predictor of church and state behavior because it lacks specificity on the amount of competition necessary to warrant taking progressive action, lacks specificity about the timing of Protestant competition, ignores the pre-existing position of the Catholic Church, treats the demand side of the religious market as inelastic, assumes the Catholic Church intentionally implemented progressive policies in response to competition, presumes the Church is a unitary actor, and disregards the impact of a perceived Marxist threat on both church and state actors. Our critique of the religious economy model points to refinements of the model and alternative approaches to understanding church and state behavior in Latin America and elsewhere. Full article

Previous studies performed on the European eel Anguilla anguilla showed changes in the morphology and physiology of several tissues after exposure to environmental cocaine concentrations. To better understand the model through which cocaine produced its effects on these tissues, we investigated whether there were alterations in the expression of cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R). Indeed, the endocannabinoid system, and CB1R, regulate neurotransmission, neurodevelopment, embryonic development, reproduction, and the activity of the gastrointestinal system. CB1R has been detected in nervous and peripheral tissues in mammals, and orthologues of the mammalian CB1R are found throughout vertebrates including chicken, turtle, frog, and fish. Therefore, samples of gut, kidney, ovary, muscle, liver, skin, and gills from cocaine-exposed and non-exposed eels were processed for routine histology. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to evaluate the immunolocalization of the CB1R. Our results showed for the first time (1) the presence of CB1R in the peripheral tissues of the eel, and (2) statistically significant differences in the localization of CB1R in the gut, kidney, ovary, muscle, and liver of the eels exposed to cocaine, compared to controls. These results demonstrate the involvement of CB1R in cocaine effects and suggest its potential role as a biomarker of tissue alteration. Full article

Background: Women experience higher rates of adverse events and first rehospitalization after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation compared with men. This study investigated the role of sex and preimplant psychosocial risk in recurrent hospitalizations. Methods: Data from 20,123 INTERMACS patients (21.3% women) were analyzed. Cumulative transition rates (e.g., home to hospitalization) were estimated and Andersen–Gill models, adjusted for covariates, examined the association between sex, preimplant psychosocial risk, and cumulative transition hazards for rehospitalization. State occupation probabilities, the mean number of hospitalizations, and the cumulative average length of hospital stay were calculated and stratified by sex and psychosocial risk. Results: Psychosocial risk preimplant was more prevalent in men than in women (21.4% vs. 17.5%, p < 0.001). The interaction of female sex and psychosocial risk increased rehospitalization hazards, independently of covariates [HR_adj 1.11, 95% CI (1.01–1.22), p = 0.036]. One-year postimplant, women with vs. without psychosocial risk had 2.2 vs. 1.8 hospitalizations, while men experienced 1.8 vs. 1.7 hospitalizations, respectively. Women with vs. without psychosocial risk spent 20 vs.16 days hospitalized, and men 15 vs. 14 days (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Preimplant psychosocial risk independently contributed to recurrent hospitalizations post-LVAD, particularly affecting women. The early identification and management of these factors may reduce rehospitalizations and improve clinical outcomes. Full article

Aquaculture has been rapidly growing during the past decade to accommodate the increasing need for seafood as a vital source of nutrients for human beings. The nutritional benefits of incorporating fish into one’s diet are paramount in promoting overall health, bolstering immunity and warding off diseases. Nonetheless, farm-raised aquatic species are frequently subjected to elevated contamination levels due to pesticides, antibiotics, and heavy metals in the marine environment. Pesticides affect fish differently based on species, class, dosage, and exposure duration. They can induce histological damage or neurobehavioral changes by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase production. This can promote liver dysfunction, metabolism deregulation, oxidative stress, and hematological imbalances, impair immune responses, and adversely affect fish reproduction. Furthermore, pesticides negatively affect the nutritional composition of fish by reducing the total protein levels in muscle, liver, gills, and kidney tissues. They disrupt lipid metabolism, resulting in lipid accumulation in the liver and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, pesticides interfere with metabolism by altering carbohydrate levels in the gills, muscles, and kidneys while decreasing glycogen storage in the liver. Pesticide exposure has been linked to severe health impacts in humans, such as non-communicable diseases, reproductive issues, cognitive dysfunction, and cancer. The current review comprehensively emphasizes the harmful effects of pesticides on fish and human health, urging the establishment of environmental monitoring programs and biomonitoring studies. It accentuates the need for risk assessment models to evaluate pesticide impacts on marine ecosystems and advocates for stricter safety standards and lower pesticide residue limits in aquaculture products. Full article

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system in fish, responsible for recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns derived from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), an endangered sturgeon species valued for its meat and caviar, is a promising model for studying the effects of polyploidy on immune gene regulation. This study examined the expression of Toll-like receptor type 2 (TLR2) and type 13 (TLR13) in the heart, liver, gills, spleen, and kidney of diploid and triploid healthy sterlets using real-time PCR. TLR2 and TLR13 were expressed in all tissues of both diploids and triploids. In diploids, TLR2 expression was the highest in the kidney and the lowest in the liver (p < 0.05). Similarly, TLR13 expression in diploids was highest in the kidney and gills, and lowest in the liver (p < 0.05). In triploids, no significant tissue-specific variation in TLR expression was observed (p > 0.05). Comparisons between diploid and triploid sterlets revealed higher TLR2 expression in the kidney and higher TLR13 expression in the heart and kidney of diploids (p < 0.05). These molecular findings were supported by leukocyte analysis, which showed a significantly lower percentage of lymphocytes and a higher proportion of neutrophils in triploids compared to diploids. Additionally, the proportion of thrombocytes was significantly elevated in triploids (p < 0.05). This study provides the first report of TLR expression in polyploid fish, offering new insights into immune modulation associated with polyploidy in sturgeons. Full article

Salinity and alkalinity are critical environmental factors that affect fish physiology and ability to survive. Oreochromis mossambicus is a euryhaline species that can endure a wide range of salinities and has the potential to serve as a valuable model animal for environmental science. In order to detect the histomorphological changes, antioxidant enzymes, and proteomic responses of O. mossambicus to different osmotic stresses, O. mossambicus was subjected to salinity stress (25 g/L, S_S), alkalinity stress (4 g/L, A_S), saline–alkalinity stress (salinity: 25 g/L, alkalinity: 4 g/L, SA_S), and freshwater (the control group; C_S). The histomorphological and antioxidant enzyme results indicated that salinity, alkalinity, and saline–alkalinity stresses have different degrees of damage and effects on the gills and liver of O. mossambicus. Compared with the control, 83, 187, and 177 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the salinity, alkalinity, and saline–alkalinity stresses, respectively. The obtained DEPs can be summarized into four categories: ion transport channels or proteins, energy synthesis and metabolism, immunity, and apoptosis. The KEGG enrichment results indicated that DNA replication and repair were significantly enriched in the salinity stress group. Lysosomes and oxidative phosphorylation were considerably enriched in the alkalinity stress group. Comparatively, the three most important enriched pathways in the saline–alkalinity stress group were Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. The findings of this investigation yield robust empirical evidence elucidating osmoregulatory mechanisms and adaptive biological responses in euryhaline teleost, thereby establishing a scientific foundation for the cultivation and genomic exploration of high-salinity-tolerant teleost species. This advancement facilitates the sustainable exploitation of saline–alkaline aquatic ecosystems while contributing to the optimization of piscicultural practices in hypersaline environments. Full article